Uganda has registered a notable reduction in crime levels, with new figures showing a 10.2% drop in reported cases in 2025, according to the latest Annual Crime Report released by the police.
While presenting the findings at the Police Headquarters in Naguru on Monday, March 30 th, 2026, the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, said the decline reflects improvements in operational systems, particularly in command, control, and response coordination.
The annual crime report data indicates that a total of reported cases fell from 218,715 in 2024 to 196,405 in 2025.
Byakagaba pointed out that the latest drop marks a stronger performance compared to the previous year’s 4.1% decline, describing it as a sign of growing efficiency within the force.
The Director of Criminal Investigations, Tom Magambo, credited the progress partly to enhanced government backing.
He acknowledged the establishment of a data analysis centre, initiated after a 2024 visit by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, as a turning point in modernising investigations and strengthening collaboration among security agencies.
Breakdowns within the report show reductions across several crime categories. Arson incidents dropped slightly from 1,604 to 1,542 cases, while homicide cases recorded a sharp 21% decrease. Property damage cases declined by 8.8%, and fraud-related offences involving false pretence also saw a significant reduction.
Sexual offences followed the same trend, decreasing by 12.6%, with 12,606 cases reported in 2025 compared to 14,425 the previous year.
However, police raised concern over persistently high theft rates, which stood at 56,360 cases.
Magambo noted that confusion between civil and criminal matters continues to drive unnecessary reporting, with many citizens pursuing criminal channels for disputes that fall under civil law.
On road safety, the Director of Traffic and Road Safety, Lawrence Nuwabiine, reported a rise in accidents. Serious crashes involving injuries reached 13,563, while minor incidents stood at 7,879, reflecting a 3.8% increase overall.
